Oct. 17, 2018 marked the eight year anniversary of the death of Danroy ‘DJ’ Henry. Henry was a student and football player at Pace University when he was shot and killed by a Pleasantville police officer in 2010.

Members of the Pace University community held a vigil outside of Goldstein Gym where a clock tower has been placed as a memorial.  ”Students don’t need to forget why the clock is out there and why there’s a number 12 on it and being the only number, cause that was DJ’s number,” said Cornell Craig, Director of Multicultural Affairs at Pace University. “It’s important for us to remember and keep that memory going.”

Craig knew DJ personally and described him as “a good person, good student, good athlete.” a benefit to the community. “ … a really selfless person, a really caring person. Which is what he would like the members of Pleasantville to remember about him.

This years vigil was organized and hosted by Lindita Kulla, the Social Justice and Unity Chair of Pace University’s student government. “DJ Henry was an incredible athlete, student, son, brother, and person,” she said. “He is not defined by what happened to him but he is defined by the characteristics and the way he lived his life.”

“My family and I think it’s amazing that even students that didn’t go to school with DJ are still finding ways to honor him and recognize him,” said Angela Henry, DJ’s mother. “To see that every year there is something happening at Pace University where students are getting together to recognize him, to learn more about him, we know that his name won’t be forgotten.’’

Annual vigils are only one way Henry’s memory is being upheld. The DJ Dream Fund is a non profit organization started by the Henry family. “The DJ Henry Fund provides children in need the opportunity to participate in programs they are passionate about,” according to their “our story” page.